Same-sex marriages take place in ACT ahead of High Court ruling, with MP Stephen Dawson first to tie knot

Updated
Mon Dec 09 10:13:40 EST 2013

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Same-sex couples tie the knot in Canberra

7pm TV News ACT

More than a dozen couples have made history today as the first gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in Australia.

Forty-six couples have registered in order to be able to wed this weekend ahead of a decision on Thursday on whether the ACT's same-sex marriage law is valid.

Western Australian Upper House MP Stephen Dawson was the first to tie the knot with a midnight ceremony on the lawns of Federal Parliament.

He says he has wanted to call his partner Dennis Liddelow his husband for a long time.

"I'm pleased that I've been able to say it tonight and I hope to be able to say it next weekend. I hope that the High Court sees fit to allow these laws to stay.

"This is about us professing our love for each other and reminding each other after 10 years that we still love each other and at least for the moment our relationship will be legally recognised as a marriage."

Timeline: Same-sex marriage in Australia

Wednesday, December 4: The High Court reserves its decision on the Commonwealth's challenge to ACT's same-sex marriage laws.

Saturday, December 7: Australia's first ever same-sex marriages take place in Canberra. The ACT Government says 46 same-sex couples have lodged papers to get married.

Thursday, December 12: The High Court of Australia will rule on the validity of the ACT legislation.

He says the couple exchanged vows on the lawn of the Federal Parliament in order to make a statement.

"For symbolic reasons, I guess. Everybody knows that parliaments make laws in this country [and] this place has been slow in making laws, particularly on the issue of same-sex marriage."

Old Parliament House and numerous lakeside venues are heavily booked for ceremonies.

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says she is encouraged by the number of people willing to get married while the law stands.

"Despite the uncertainty [it] shows how important this is."

Ms Gallagher says she will have no regrets if the High Court decides to dismiss the ACT's same-sex marriage laws.

"In terms of where we go from here, the world has changed, the landscape has changed. It won't be when or if same-sex couples can get married, it's they were married and this momentum will continue to build and I have no doubt it's changed the debate."

Rodney Croome from Australian Marriage Equality has called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to let his MPs decide whether or not same-sex marriage should be legalised at a federal level.

"The Coalition doesn't allow a conscience vote on this. I believe that a majority of Coalition members support a conscience vote and when that conscience vote is granted that will remove the final obstacle and this reform will have a fighting chance."

Ivan Hinton from Australian Marriage Equality, who married his husband Chris Teoh today, says his wedding was "an amazing experience".

"It's something that we've worked hard for for a very, very long time. It's something that means an awful amount to us and to our family and to members of the community that we don't even know, " he said.

"But it's important that they know that it's OK to be gay and it's OK to hope that one day you're going to find the most amazing, beautiful, sensitive, complementary friend for life, and that's what I've found with Chris.

"The relationship that we have is as deep and as personal as any in this nation. I love him with all my heart and there should never be any rule in this country that disrespects the commitment that two people like us wish to express to one another."